Board of Education: Minutes

March 2008 Minutes

Approved Minutes

by Dee Marik

May 16, 2008

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF SENECA TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, DISTRICT 160, SENECA, IL

A regular meeting of the Seneca Township High School Board of Education was held on March 19, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. President Robert Lee called the meeting to order with roll call.

1. ROLL CALL: Present: Aubry, Applebee, Johnson, Lee, Hovious, McCormick

Absent: Jones

Others present: Superintendent Mark Thurwanger, Principal Doug Evans, Assistant Principal Dan Manullang, Recording Secretary Carolyn Lockridge, Treasurer Bill Steep, David Spicer, Shane Trager, Kent Weber, Student award winners and guests, Representatives from The Daily Times, Morris Daily Herald and WJDK.

2. RECOGNITION OF GUESTS AND VISITORS

Student of the Month: Bill Szumski

Role Model: Courtney Rod, Brooke Warning

Rookie of the Month: Luke Jackson

Most Improved: Danial Bucy

3. INVESTMENT REPORT

Mr. Thurwanger gave the Investment Report. President Lee stated that the Investment Report would stand approved as presented, subject to audit.

4. TREASURER’S REPORT

Mr. Steep gave the Treasurer’s Report. President Lee stated that the Treasurer’s report would stand approved subject to audit.

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Minutes

President Lee stated the minutes would stand approved as presented.

6. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Mr. Thurwanger indicated the questions he received were listed on the Accounts Payable Questions handout. President Lee asked for a motion to approve the accounts payable as presented.

A motion was made by Joe Johnson and seconded by Carolyn McCormick to approve the Accounts Payable as presented.

ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aubry, Applebee, Johnson, Hovious, Lee, McCormick

Nays:

Motion Carried

7. PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no comment from the public.

8. EDUCATIONAL ITEM

Shane Trager gave a presentation on the School Improvement Committee’s role in education and the progress to date.

9. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

A. Finance Report

1. Lunch Fees

Mr. Thurwanger stated the Finance Committee reviewed the Lunch Fees and are recommending the fees stay the same as last year.

A motion was made by Jim Hovious and seconded by Jim Aubry to approve the 2008-09 Lunch Fees as presented.

ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aubry, Applebee, Johnson, Hovious, Lee, McCormick

Nays:

Motion Carried

2. Registration Fees

Mr. Thurwanger stated last year was the first year for the flat fee registration. The new fee structure was well received and generated similar revenue as previous years. The Finance Committee reviewed the fees and are recommending the registration fees stay the same as last year.

A motion was made by Jim Aubry and seconded by Joe Johnson to approve the 2008-09 Registration Fees as presented

ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aubry, Applebee, Johnson, Hovious, Lee, McCormick

Nays:

Motion Carried

3. Circuit Breaker School Lunch

Mr. Thurwanger stated the Circuit Breaker School Lunch Agreement will have the same term and the Rental Agreement approved last month. As in the past, the school will provide lunches based on the school’s lunch prices. If the Rental Agreement is terminated by either party, the Lunch Agreement will also be terminated.

A motion was made by Carolyn McCormick and seconded by Rich Applebee to approve the Circuit Breaker School Lunch Agreement as presented.

ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aubry, Applebee, Johnson, Hovious, Lee, McCormick

Nays:

Motion Carried

4. Intergovernmental Agreement - Exelon

Mr. Thurwanger stated this item will be discussed in Executive Session.

5. Intergovernmental Agreement – Proposed TIF

Mr. Thurwanger stated this item will be discussed in Executive Session.

6. Village of Seneca Request

Mr. Thurwanger stated the Village has approached him concerning the possibility of running a sewer line through the District Property near the tennis courts. He stated the PE Department does not use the tennis courts and the District does not sponsor a tennis team. A discussion was held concerning the recent facility planning, the softball field, and the removal of the tennis courts. The Board directed Mr. Thurwanger to discuss the matter further with the Village.

B. Personnel Report

Mr. Thurwanger stated he would discuss this item in Executive Session.

C. Life Safety Amendment

Mr. Thurwanger referred to the two Life Safety Amendments. One amendment is for the asbestos abatement at West Campus and the other for the cost increases since the original ten year life safety amendment was filed. Ameresco will be performing the Life Safety Work this summer.

A motion was made by Joe Johnson and seconded by Jim Hovious to approve the Life Safety Amendments as presented.

ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aubry, Applebee, Johnson, Hovious, Lee, McCormick

Nays:

Motion Carried

D. Title 1 E-Plan

Mr. Thurwanger referred to the Title 1 E-Plan included in Board Packet. The Title 1 Funds are used for the START program. The Illinois State Board of Education is requiring a Title 1 E-Plan be adopted by the District.

A motion was made by Rich Applebee and seconded by Jim Aubry to approve the Title 1 E-Plan.

ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aubry, Applebee, Johnson, Hovious, Lee, McCormick

Nays:

Motion Carried

E. Executive Session

Mr. Thurwanger stated he would ask for an Executive Session at the end of the meeting to discuss contract negotiations, Board Member Replacement, and the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance of dismissal of employees.

10. PRINCIPAL/ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL REPORT

A. Student Handbook

Mr. Evans and Mr. Manullang reviewed the changes to the Student Handbook. The changes from last year were minor and included changes to the dress code and language clarification. They asked the Board Members to call them if they had any questions on the Handbook. The Student Handbook will be adopted at the April Meeting.

11. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATIONS

Mr. Thurwanger discussed the Royal Vending Report, Website Traffic Report, and the Cafeteria Report. He also referred to the Weekly Message from the State Superintendent.

Regular Meeting – March 19, 2008

EXECUTIVE SESSION

A motion was made by Joe Johnson and seconded by Carolyn McCormick to go into Executive Session, including Administration, to discuss contract negotiations, Board Member Replacement, and the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of employees.

ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aubry, Applebee, Johnson, Hovious, Lee, McCormick

Nays:

Motion Carried

OPEN SESSION

A motion was made by Jim Hovious and seconded by Jim Aubry to approve the Personnel Report as presented.

ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aubry, Applebee, Johnson, Hovious, Lee, McCormick

Nays:

Motion Carried

A motion was made by Joe Johnson and seconded by Rich Applebee to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Exelon Negotiations as presented.

ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aubry, Applebee, Johnson, Hovious, Lee, McCormick

Nays:

Motion Carried